I have a admission to make. I have bass thumb. This is a serious condition that affects the epidermis on the distal phalanges after repeated releases of Largemouth and Guadeloupe bass. It's not an embarrassing disease. In fact, I wish I had it all the time. When I say repeated releases I mean in the forty to fifty range. I am not exaggerating here... I had the most productive bass fishing day in my entire life on Sunday just south of Mason, Texas on the Llano river. All on one little yellow popper. Out of a canoe in gin clear water, a granite bottom with gorgeous scenery around every turn.

My friend Johnny Quiroz who guides infrequently now and then (he's really a photographer) was kind enough to let me have the front of the boat the entire day. Check out his site here.

It was outrageous. We could do no wrong. The stars were aligned and it made for non-stop action. Fishing for bass in the Texas hill country is a very visual experience as the spring fed water is clear to aquamarine blue and and the fish are aggressive, moving many feet to crush flies. I highly recommend getting out and trying this distinctive brand of bass fishing if you're ever in the Austin area.

Take a day and stay the night at Raye Carrington's on the banks of the Llano River just south of Mason. It's a quaint, fairly inexpensive B&B with true Texas hospitality that you can fish right out the back door from. For guiding go to guidesoftexas.com. They will hook you up canoe style, which is how you'll want to roll on these rivers.

Thanks again Johnny for a day of fishing I'll always remember!

TR